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Guy on the bus.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008 @ 1:04 AM
(Joanc posting)

Today... I went to school in the morning. Like the usual time. Supposedly for prayer mtg, but last minute the girls found out they had to study 6 more chapters, which they didn't.
:O
I know how that feels. Hahaha. So prayer meeting was put off. Next week, la. (:

Had consultations for 3 different subjects from 9 to 3++P.M.
And I just got home.




Well. The main point is about the bus ride back.
I sat at the back row. The long row.
2 guys, I don't know from where, came on the bus.
Then the bus went past a church.

Guy1: All these churches names are so stereotypical. All try to come up with names like "Holy Church", like trying to be better than one another. (Something along those lines, I didn't hear clearly)

Guy2 said something la. Then they were like abit arguing about religion. Guy2 told Guy1 to show respect for other religions, even if don't believe at least respect. He sounded agitated.

Guy1: It's delusions la, ha.

I forgot other stuff in between. But in the end Guy1 got fed up and gave up explaining, then he got off at his stop.


Tell you what was going through my mind: A thousand and one things.

My stop was reaching. Was there time to say my part?
What could I say to make him change his mind(set)?

I wanted to join in the conversation halfway. But firstly, that'd mean I'd been eavesdropping. Plus I wanted to listen on before I said anything.
I got angry initially, but as I listened I felt a very strong urge to tell him a few things.

I wanted to agree w Guy1; don't believe, fine, but in the least, respect.
But then, thinking again, I don't want him to respect religions or Christianity, namely, for the sake of respecting.

Guy2, obviously a free-thinker, critisizes religion(s). But does he even understand the different religions? I'll narrow it down to Christianity.

Does he understand Christianity/Christians enough to call this religion a delusion?

And, what's the point of respecting something for the sake of respecting it; for the sake of staying out of trouble because this issue, religion, is sensitive.

If you respect something, you should first understand it.
At least...... Make an effort to.
Don't classify it as delusion/unreal/illogical right away/without really thinking.

Then again, how would I know if he really did make an effort to understand Christianity? Maybe he did?
But, listening to the way he spoke, the things he spoke about, he obviously hasn't.


I wanted to tell him, secondly, that there's a reason for believing. People don't blindly believe.
Now I'd like to ask all of you: What's your reason for believing in our God?
Is it because PJ and other pastors all over preach that God is real? Etc etc? What's your reason.

For me. My reason is that I've experienced God before and I just know He's real. There's no proper explanation, I just know it.

Is your reason the same as mine?

Because, thinking about it, I don't think that's a good enough reason,at all. And it's definitely not a good enough reason for a non-believer to believe.
How would saying that "I just know it" help?

Reminds me of my friends. We were talking about End times and God.
Nonbeliever: But how you know it's true.
Christian friends (who curse in every sentence): Because you know it la! Because it's real! How can you not believe?!

Then the argument/discussion got heated up.

To me, as I listened to their discussion, it sounded dumb. Getting so angry and saying "it's real it's real!"
I don't see how that can help anything. I so wanted to say something, to give a proper reason, but I couldn't think up anything. That's why I just kept quiet.

So, back to the issue.
I was thinking, okay, I don't have a reason right now, but maybe before I get off the bus I should say something like "Excuse me, I hope you'll take time and effort to understand religion before you critisize it/them. They are NOT delusions. There are reasons why people choose to believe."
I had strong urge. I was really exploding inside. But my stop was coming in dont know how many seconds. But I had time. I was sitting, half butt on the seat, debating.

Why I wanted to tell him:
For one, I was getting off. So I didn't have to worry about a heated discussion. Besides, if I don't even have a proper reason for believing I don't see how I can hold up a discussion w him. So if I just tell him those few sentences and alighted, no risk no loss. (Cowardly, but I don't want to put up a discussion I won't know how to answer. Cause that proves I don't even understand my own religion)
Second, even if I didn't have a proper reason, saying that to him might just change his everything, because he might really go and find out about God and he might be saved. Then the whole of heaven would rejoice.
Third, I might never see him again. And I might never get the chance to tell him again next time.

But I didn't tell him.
Why sia. Now I can't think of a reason why I didn't. I mean. My chance was there. Opportunity had come, God had set the table. I don't know why I didn't make the move.
I regret la. I shall pray for him.

So. Since now it's.... somewhat over. I think I should think about this. Why do I believe in Jesus?
I'd really like to know your answer. So tag it or blog it.
But if you don't know, I think we should start searching for our reasons. Because there definitely is a reason for you to believe and love God. And it definitely is true that God is real. It's just, do you know it? Do you know how to put it?
Maybe that's why we're scared of evangelism. Because we don't even know how to explain our faith, however strong it might be.

Start searching, then (: Don't avoid the question. Knowing your cause, your reason, then you can let people understand, then their eyes can be opened.

Another thing I'm thinking about,
Many a times, before you accept something you want a scientific or logical explanation/evidence for it.
Can God be proven through facts and science, other than stated in the Bible?

End of questions.

One more thing I want to say.
Last night I was feeling crappy.
Really crappy.

So then I prayed. And I kinda fell asleep while praying.
But this morn on the way to school I heard 1 or 2 Hillsong Kids songs, and I just have one thing to say:

Even when you're feeling like shit, when you don't feel like worshipping God, when you feel different and weird and all the things other than O.K.,
God's still the same.

And God doesn't deserve this kind of treatment- Worshipping when you feel like it, praying when you feel like it.

Just like how the reason for our faith cannot be based solely on how we feel when we're experiencing God, the way you treat God should not be based solely on how you're feeling.


During the week a song came to me strongly. I wanted to post it here. But I forgot alr. Shall post another that kinda impacted me.
I was listening to it, and as I heard the lyrics I was super happy. Not earthly happy. But the kind if happy only God can give me, you know, that special kind. (:
So, enjoy. And listen to the words.


FREE- Planetshakers

You saved me, You set me free
You healed me, You made me see
You set me free

You give me, all that I need
You give me, life abundantly
You set me free

All I wanna do is praise You
‘Cause You have set me free

You’re my saviour
You have set me free forever
It is by your grace and power
That you have set me free
You are the way
I will follow You all my days
Never will I hold back my praise
‘Cause You have set me free

There’s freedom in the name of Jesus
Freedom from all shame
There’s freedom in the name of Jesus
Freedom from all pain
There’s freedom in the name of Jesus
Freedom from all sin
There’s freedom in the name of Jesus
There’s freedom in the name of Jesus


We're free! :D